Gould Night



The RV Laurence M. Gould is an icebreaker used by researchers from the United States National Science Foundation for research in the Southern Ocean. 

The Gould comes in to Rothera once a year conducting science and working closely with our scientists. This is a day that we on base always look forward to, as I am sure do the scientist and crew on board this vessel, not only because it is exciting to watch any ship arrive at the wharf, but there is also a  tradition between the Gould and Rothera where we play them at Football during afternoon, leading on to the infamous Gould night which takes place in the Garage, similar to the antics of New Year's Eve.

Tours of the base are given with some recreational skiing, climbing, skidooing, and walking for anyone interested. The ship also gives guided tours to anyone on base interested in going on board.

Our shop which doubles as a post office is open to our guests for the sale of T-shirts, hats, postcards, stamps, pens, cups and all things Antarctic, this is run by Jen and Tom, Rothera's incoming and outgoing wintering doctors.

The day for me was a very busy one, not only were we feeding 90 plus, but I wanted to get to the ship to speak with the chef to see once again if I could acquire any nice ingredients for my winter, I also had to go to the garage to do a sound check, as I was playing the saxophone that evening in the band. 

The Gould tied against the wharf



It was a great team in the kitchen today with Nicky and Julie on gash duty, which is a day of cleaning, domestic and kitchen help. With all the washing up and cleaning done both Nicky and Julie helped in the preparation of dinner which gave myself and Rob the time to take a gator to the ship in the hope of filling it with goodies.

 

Nicky who works for the air unit as Manager of aircraft operations and Julie the Executive Support Team Manager, were a delight in the kitchen, not only was the kitchen spotless, tidy and organised it was a fun day with both girls singing along to Motown that was playing on our playlist. It was a comical day and we thought of entertaining the Gould that night as  'Chef Trev & the Chicken Supremes'!!

Rob with the Gator at the gangway of the Gould

Rob on the deck of the Gould after relieving the chef
of some choice ingredients.

Mission accomplished, gator with a few boxes of meat and fish

The football match in full swing, final score

Rothera 3 Gould 0  Another good win.

Tom Doc, serving in the shop with merchandise displayed

Paula who works in the Comms Tower checks out the

new stock

 

Paula asking Nicky how the T-shirt looks?

 

Stef one of the Dutch scientists helping

with a food move

 

Lewis in the freezer, organising the shelves

in order to make room for my winter goodies

 

Over in the Garage, Matt testing the mic's ready for

Gould night

JB a scientist just come back from the field gives an

impromptu performance with Ed the chef from the Gould

All the beers and soft drinks ready in the fridge

outside the garage

JB and Ed Chef playing guitars

Jim our summer chippy who put all the set

and staging together, opens with a few songs

he's great!

The main attraction and Gould night gets into full swing

Here Kate our dive officer takes centre stage on the mic

accompanied by Tom Doc on guitar with Callum on drums

Myself, Tom Doc and Ali on the horn section playing

Mustang Sally. It sounded fantastic, even though I do

 say so myself.

Rosie Joins us on the flute

Two Saxes and a Flute

  

The night was a great success with everyone having had a good time, I retired to the bar in New Bransfield where it was very quiet after the noise and party atmosphere of the garage. I sat with Nicky and Julie chatting about the day while the party carried on in the garage with a couple of our guys playing DJ to an appreciative audience.

 The colours that night looking out from the bar 

were stunning

As it came time to walk over to Admirals, the colours

were getting deeper reflecting off the water and 

highlighting the icebergs.

And finally the Gould with the setting sun behind her.

The perfect end to a tiring but very successful day. 

With another Gould night over, the cast off team were up bright and early in the morning to see the ship away safely. It will be another twelve months before we see the Gould again, but i will still be here having had that year to practice the Saxophone and improve on what was a good night.